Getting to the top is tough. Staying there is even harder.
Navarre’s girls weightlifting team knows that as well as anyone. The two-time reigning state champion Raiders lost their own invitational a few weeks ago, finishing as the runner-up to Pace, and head coach Garrett Bagley said at the time he hoped it would serve as motivation.
Wins haven’t been easy to come by this season for Navarre’s boys soccer team. A tough schedule and a young team have played a part in that.
But the Raiders had something to celebrate last Tuesday night at home on the turf of Bennett C. Russell Stadium, beating county rival Pace 4-1.
The gym erupted in cheers, the loudest of those perhaps coming from the Raider bench, the players smiling and jumping up as Mackenzie England bolted down the court and right down the middle of the lane for a wide-open layup that put Navarre ahead 41-40 with little time left on the clock.
Navarre’s girls basketball team has another player headed to the next level, with senior shooting guard Mackenzie England announcing her commitment to LaGrange College on Tuesday.
England made the announcement via social media.
Navarre’s boys basketball team pushed Crestview to the limit and nearly pulled off a win last Tuesday night against one of District 1-6A’s best teams.
The Raiders led the Bulldogs by 10 at the half but couldn’t maintain that momentum the entire second half in a 56-53 loss on the road.
Lattrell Tate scored 23 points, connecting five times from 3-point range, as the University of West Florida men’s basketball team ended a five-game losing streak with a 72-54 win over Shorter Saturday.
Jade Slaybaugh is considered an intense competitor, and her coach at Thomas University, Julie Orlowski, called the former Navarre Raider the heart and soul of the team.
That fits right in with where Slaybaugh believes is the area she took her biggest steps in this past season.
The most recent regional rankings are out and several area teams are in contention for playoff spots.
In 6A, the top eight teams will make the postseason, including the four district champions in the region. In 1A, the top four teams earn spots to the regional.
Jayah Jones was bumped out of bounds near the score table while bringing the ball up the floor early in the third quarter of an intense battle with rival Pace Thursday night.
Jones made the two free throws and pulled the Raiders within 43-35 with 6:40 to go, keeping the window of hope open for a comeback win.
